| Port Orchard’s new City Development Director not only has a solid history of accomplishing significant planning tasks, he has the vocal support and high respect from those who were affected and work alongside him. James Weaver has been a Kitsap Peninsula resident for the past three years, but has dedicated the past 15 years to working with both public government and private planning organizations. Some of the largest organizations include King County, the state of California and the city of San Diego.
In his recent position as a senior community planner for Kitsap County, Weaver was the project manager for large comprehensive planning processes such as the 2006 and 2007 Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan Updates, the Keyport Community Plan, the joint South Kitsap/City of Port Orchard sub area planning process, and more. He also coordinated volunteers and citizen advisory groups, created goals, policies, directed teams of technical experts, wrote professional contracts, along with customer service.
“Working with Kitsap County has been one of my most challenging experiences of my career,” said Weaver. “One of the most difficult tasks assigned and completed for Kitsap County included the revival and completion of the Port Orchard/South Kitsap Sub-Area Plan.”
Fred Depee, Kitsap County Planning Commission chair, said he feels Weaver is perfect for the job, and he personally holds a lot of respect for Weaver’s knowledge and professionalism. “Friend or foe of the Keyport Community Plan, there were more letters applauding the professional job James did than about the issues,” Depee said.
Depee added that Weaver truly believes his calling is to serve the public and he has the skills and knowledge to do so.
The post of City Development Director is new, replacing the previous Planning Director position, and comes with expanded duties. Planning Director Joanne Long-Woods resigned in early Jaunary. Newly elected Mayor Lary Coppola, who created the new slot with Weaver specifically in mind, had no comment other than to say, “Joanne did a lot of good work for the city. We wish her the best.”
Weaver will take over this appointed position on Feb. 4. “I think there is so much opportunity for the area,” Weaver said about Port Orchard. He feels Port Orchard is a unique community in the sense that the quality of life is high, but Port Orchard can do better with issues such as traffic and funding to make the quality of life even better.
First on Weaver’s long list of things to do is updating the city’s comprehensive plan, as required by the state. It will also give Port Orchard the chance to apply for more grants and funding for improvements. Secondly, Weaver wants to streamline the permitting processing. He wants clear communication between the city and its citizens about permitting and to provide more communication via the Web.
Weaver also will focus on a higher level of customer service, making this his main mission. “I hold a very high standard for public service for the level of commitment and professionalism I hope to bring to the citizens of Port Orchard,” he said. “I believe in customer service and that communication is essential to any planning department.” He also believes that good working relationships with the public, city staff and elected officials and adjacent jurisdictions need to be formed and maintained by the planning department, and any other departments, to make Port Orchard a more successful city.
Weaver seemed extremely excited and positive on the improvements that can happen in the city of Port Orchard. “I haven’t been this excited in my career in a decade,” he said.
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